DANNY COSSIO
Florence,KY
Summary
Experienced, resourceful, and effective retail manager with proven proficiency in all aspects of merchandise management. Creative merchandiser with expert ability to combine innovative display techniques, visual standards, and business drivers to achieve optimal success. District Manager who consistently meets and exceeds sales targets and look forward to associate with an organization and work as a District Manager in partnership with Regional and Corporate Executives to drive a creative, challenging, and rewarding culture.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
Forever 21
10.2023 - Current
- Supervised various locations, enforcing high-quality standards of operation.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures as well as federal/state regulations by conducting regular audits of operational practices at each location within the district.
- Boosted employee morale by creating a positive work environment that encouraged teamwork, collaboration, and professional growth opportunities.
- Fostered an environment of open communication between management teams across the district to share best practices in operations optimization and problem-solving techniques.
- Developed and executed comprehensive training programs for store managers, resulting in improved employee performance and customer satisfaction.
- Evaluated store performance regularly using data analysis tools to identify areas of improvement and implement targeted action plans for continuous growth.
- Streamlined operations by establishing efficient processes and communication channels between stores, leading to reduced costs and increased productivity.
- Increased employee retention through development of comprehensive rewards and recognition program.
- Coordinated with marketing to launch promotional campaigns, boosting customer engagement and sales.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, leading teams in analysis and optimization of sales strategies.
- Implemented new product launches effectively, ensuring staff were well-trained and inventory was strategically managed.
Department Manager
H&M Hennes & Mauritz
08.2015 - Current
- Drives growth and development of staff members by recruiting, hiring, coaching and providing constant feedback on day to day basis
- Utilizes IDPs (Individual Development Plan) to challenge and develop staff to different positions within the district in partnership with the Store Manager
- Ensures garment presentation, department executions, and visual standards are represented according to the company's expectation
- Drives sales by evaluating store reports, budget planning, back office routines and loss prevention
- Supported in a New Store Opening within the district in NC and also participated in a 'Leadership Workshop'
- Follows and execute safety and security routines to prevent loss and guarantee employee and customer safety throughout the store
- Works in partnership with the visual team of the store to ensure trends, marketing, window installations, and all executions are meeting company standards
Store Manager
Forever 21
12.2016 - 03.2017
- Oversee all the daily operations of the store including sales, scheduling, planning, hiring, performance evaluation, and assigning duties and responsibilities
- Train new employees and leadership team and provide continuing education and training to current employees
- Meeting company sales goals by training, motivating, mentoring and providing feedback to store staff at all levels
- Successfully conducted store transition to a F21 Hybrid store
- Hired and trained a Co-Manager and successfully trained and developed a Visual Associate to a FT Visual Merchandiser
ASM of Merchandising
Forever 21
11.2013 - 08.2015
- Was assigned to this location because it's one of the Must Win stores in the region with a 24,000 Sq
- Footage and a volume of 13 million/year
- This store also falls in the category of a Focal/ Must Win Store which means the performance and standards are expected to be at a higher level and all communication on sales performance and visual presentation goes directly to the RM and RVM
- Manage a team of 2 Visual Managers and 6 leads; also supports the Store Manager with coaching and developing 5 operational managers
- Submit photos and merchandise feedback of launches, collections, promotion, window display installations, and floorsets to upper management
- Participates in touch base meetings with operations manager to discuss updates, promos, launches, and other company directives
- Receives and Reviews employment applications to conduct interviews with potential candidates
- Plans, execute, and support all floorsets according to company standards
- Responsible for all seasonal and promotional window and in-store marketing/display installations
- Follows all visual and merchandising guidelines for windows, mannequins, fixtures, tables, and walls
- Partner with store management to train and coach staff on Recovery/ Visual Standards on a regular basis
- Participated in four store Openings; Georgetown, Springfield, Tysons Corner, and Dulles Town Center in the past 8 months
- Communicates product performance observations on all Brands and offer weekly feedback to upper management
- Recruited and developed Visual Talent for multiple stores within the district
- Utilize and manage the weekly sales/ merchandise reports to analyze and communicate business results; partners with Store Management to determine strategies to maximize sales
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
05.2011 - 11.2013
- Maximized sales and visual impact in the first 7 months
- The store was nominated among the top 10 Best Performer stores in the company 24 weeks out of 28 from May-Dec 2011
- Won the Company's Best Visual Floorset Execution for 'Back to School 2012'
- Trained and developed successful Visual Merchandisers and Visual Managers for several stores in VA, MD, and DC markets
- Participated and supported in multiple New Store Openings, Remodels, and Expansions all across the East Coast of the US
- Collaborated in two different corporate floorsets during this period; the '2012 Holiday Floorset' in Los Angeles, CA and the 'Summer Floorset 2013 in Miami, FL
- Performed numerous work-shops within the store and District to empower the Visual Presentation and understanding of the fashion industry
- Increase sales by 8.9% during the 2012-13 fiscal year
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
07.2010 - 05.2011
- Was promoted to this location as it being the second biggest Department store in the region with a 76,000 Sq
- Footage with an estimated volume of 12 million/year
- Trained and developed an entirely new Visual Team two months before the store opening in 2010
- Managed a team of 12-15 Visual Merchandisers/ Leads that were designated to supervise all four levels of the store
- Recruited and developed Visual Talent within the DC area and within the surrounding markets
- Established and maintained proper high traffic displays, windows and mannequin presentation resulting in increased sales
- Arranged different concepts of every floorset in favorable positions and areas of the store for optimal sales
- Utilized all training tools available to provide effective and consistent training to sale associates, visuals, and management
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
05.2008 - 07.2010
- Solid and efficient partnership with Store Manager
- Maximized sales and visual impact in the first 9 months
- The store was nominated among the Top 10 Best Performers in the company for 24 weeks out of 28 during the 2008-09 fiscal year
- Efficiently executed all visual directives such as; floorsets, merchandise updates, and any Launches of new lines, products, and promotions
- Assisted several New Store Openings throughout VA, MD, and DC
- Supported the Store Manager with hiring and recruiting of talented, committed, and energetic Visual staff
- Implemented different training/ coaching strategies such as work-shops, weekly training topics, and motivational in-store contests
Visual Lead
Esprit
03.2007 - 11.2008
- Strong communication with merchandising and operational teams
- Ensured the best merchandise is featured and the looks are standardized throughout the store
- Execute all company's visual merchandising principles and visual directives at least once a week
- Weekly training with Visual Manager to build a more consistent brand image
Visual Merchandiser
Forever 21
08.2006 - 05.2008
- Supported receiving and processing of shipment, transfers, and HQ returns
- Displayed the appropriate marketing for products and select launches
- Completed all tasks and supported the Visual Manager on floorsets and merchandise updates in a timely manner while upholding the most current visual guidelines/ standards
- Supported Store Management on the register, fitting room, and zone coverage as needed depending on traffic
Sale Associate
Forever 21
11.2004 - 07.2005
- Maintained and recovered assigned sections according to company's recovery standards
- Was promoted to a Head Cashier two months after entering the store
- Assigned as a floor supervisor after working four months with the management team
- Received and processed shipment daily along with the stock team
Education
High School Diploma -
Washington-Lee High School
Arlington, VA01.2005
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Northern Virginia Community College
Alexandria, VA01.2007
Skills
- Organizing
- Planning
- Prioritizing
- Interpersonal
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Creative solutions
- Microsoft Office
- Merchandising
- Fashion sense
- Styling sense
- Incorporating fashion trends
Accomplishments
- Was presented with multiple awards including Best Visual Floorset Execution in Back to School; #1 Sales Performer in the District during the 2011-2012 fiscal year; District and Regional Winner for the Best Visual Floorset Execution in the Holiday Floorset
- Promoted to one of the Must Win stores in the Region with the volume of 13 million/year
- Collaborated in multiple Store Openings, Remodels, and Expansions all across the East Coast of the U.S.
- Trained and developed successful Visual Managers and Visual Merchandisers for different stores in VA, MD, and DC districts partnering with their corresponding District Managers
- Maximized sales through visual impact in two different stores by increasing sales by 7-8.9% during one fiscal year
- Collaborated and executed two Corporate Floorsets for all US and International stores.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
HybridOn-SiteRemoteTimeline
District Manager
Forever 21
10.2023 - Current
Store Manager
Forever 21
12.2016 - 03.2017
Department Manager
H&M Hennes & Mauritz
08.2015 - Current
ASM of Merchandising
Forever 21
11.2013 - 08.2015
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
05.2011 - 11.2013
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
07.2010 - 05.2011
Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
05.2008 - 07.2010
Visual Lead
Esprit
03.2007 - 11.2008
Visual Merchandiser
Forever 21
08.2006 - 05.2008
Sale Associate
Forever 21
11.2004 - 07.2005
High School Diploma -
Washington-Lee High School
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Northern Virginia Community College
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